War crimes suspect in Germany faces 5 counts of murder

German authorities have filed charges of murder and attempted murder of suspects for the deadly attack on the Christmas market in the town of Magdeburg, where five people were killed and 200 others injured, German police reported Sunday morning.

The suspect, identified as Taleb A in line with the law on privacy in Germany, is charged with five counts of murder, several counts of attempted murder, and several counts of causing serious bodily injuries, police said.

He appeared before the judge Saturday evening, who ordered that he be sent to custody pending trial.

According to authorities, the suspect used the free emergency lanes to drive the high-speed car through the Christmas market Friday, where he violated people who had gathered to celebrate.

Four women aged 45, 52, 67 and 75, as well as a nine-year-old boy, were killed in the attack.

The attack caused shock and pain not only in Germany but worldwide.

Investigators say the suspect acted alone, as there is currently no indication that there were any other involved, according to their findings.

Magdeburg is a city of about 237,000 residents at the Laundry-Anhalut, about 150 km west of Berlin.

Suspect, Organisation Critical of Islam

Taleb A is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, known as a critical activist to Islam.

He has made strange accusations on social networks and interviews, claiming German authorities are not doing enough to fight Islam.

Once defender of Saudi women leaving their country, he later advised people not to seek asylum in Germany, writing on his English and Arabic website: my “My advice: don't seek asylum in Germany”

It is not yet clear what prompted him to carry out the attack, but despite the nature of the attack, there is no indication that he was motivated by Islam, a senior legal official said.

Chief of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Munch, told German public broadcaster ZDF on Saturday that it is not possible to say finally that the act was politically motivated, though he acknowledged that the suspect maintained attitudes against Islam and participated in the far-right platform.

Chief Public Prosecutor in Magdeburg Horst Walter Nopens said the motive could have to do with his dissatisfaction with the way refugees from Saudi Arabia are treated in Germany.

Munch added that after receiving a warning from Saudi Arabia for this person in November 2023, “initiated an even here. Police in Saxon-Anhalt also conducted relevant investigations”, he said.

“He had different contacts with authorities, made insults and occasionally threats, but was not known for acts of violence”, Munch told the suspect.

Saudi security sources said they had warned Germany of the alleged attacker and had requested his extradition, but Germany had not responded.

They said the suspect is a Muslim Shiite of originating from the town of Al-Hofuf east of Saudi Arabia.

The rains are few in the country, as they make up only about 10% of the population in a multi-sunite nation. / REL/